It’s getting later in the year, it’s freezing out in the open and we’re trying to hide inside for heat. And we’re certainly not the only ones. Insects and unwanted pests tend to be more readily associated with the warmer weather of spring and summer, but it’s when it gets cold that many of the troubles begin. Mice, rats and even some insects need to stay warm and your nice, cosy, centrally heated office is just the sort of place to find it.
Rodent infestations increase dramatically over the autumn and winter months, and surprisingly they can happen in both towns and the countryside. Rats and mice are attracted to sources of food just as much as warmth and the immense quantities of trash found in towns and cities such as London mean there is plenty on offer for them there. So, a simple strategy to reduce the probability of infestation is to ensure that your waste isn’t left out for too long or else is kept in a secure container. Otherwise, the rats will discover it, start breeding and you could quickly find a rodent infestation on your hands.
Rats and mice have a sense of smell many times as strong as a human's. Like many animals, scents and smells are crucial to their survival, since they use their urine to mark out territory, objects and tracks. You deter rodents by laying down strong smells. Mothballs are a popular and effective option, although the powerful odour can also end up being unpleasant for we human beings too.As a result it’s a treatment more suitable to out-of-the way locations that are liable to infestation, such as attics, cellars and sheds or even caravans and campers which may end up being left uninhabited during the winter.
Wasps are generally a summer problem, but the recent warm weather means that a large number of wasps are staying active much longer than is normally the case. Those nests which remain out in the open will be unlikely to survive the first frost, but those inside - hidden away in attics, sheds or barns - can make it through into late October and early November. The new queen will usually have left the nest after the summer, but those wasps left behind continue to look for food. Like a lot of us, they can get a bit tipsy as Christmas draws near, as often the only food available is fruit which has fallen from a tree and has started to ferment. Having said that, many wasps may also be at their most dangerous at this time of the year; as the search for food becomes a lot more difficult, the insects will become aggressive. As with rats and mice you can lower the chances of you attracting wasps by not leaving food out for longer than is necessary. If there are only one or two wasps about, a trap may be sufficient to deal with them, but the best tactic is to simply wait for them to fly away.
Winter brings its own challenges in terms of unwanted pests, but to be informed is to be prepared. There are many small, preventative measures you can take to reduce the chances of pest infestations, but remember that treating an established nest directly is a problem best left to the professionals. And remember, it might not just be you who’s keeping warm in your house this winter.
Expert, friendly and effective Pest control London for pest infestations can be supplied by the London-based firm Terminex, a fully certified member of the British Pest Control Association. They provide numerous commercial and household services for dealing with unwanted infestations all year long.
